The Teaching of Chinese Language in Malaysian Chinese Primary Schools: Subtle Changes in Content and Objectives

Authors

Hoon Peow SEE, SEGI University, Kota Damansara, MalaysiaFollow

Abstract

The Chinese Primary Schools or the Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) (SRJK) are often regarded as the last fortress of Chinese education in Malaysia. If this is true, then the Chinese language subject taught in these schools can be seen as the bedrock of the fortress. However, over the years with numerous education policy changes, there have been many subtle changes to the nature and system of the Chinese primary schools and the Chinese language subject that may have gone uninspected. These changes can be for better or for worse for the development of Chinese language education in Malaysia. This paper will examine the subtle changes in the objectives, aims and teaching of Chinese language subject as a reflection on how policy shifts-in the independence period from the 1950s to 1970s; after the "3M system" implemented in 1983; and the education reforms in the 1990s-affect the nature and objective of the Chinese primary school education.

Recommended Citation

SEE, Hoon Peow (2013) "The Teaching of Chinese Language in Malaysian Chinese Primary Schools: Subtle Changes in Content and Objectives," Malaysian Journal of Chinese Studies: Vol. 2: No. 2, Article 3.
Available at: https://mjcs.newera.edu.my/journal/vol2/iss2/3